Gates to Revise ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Rules

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As the Pentagon examines a repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule against gays serving openly in the military, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to announce today new measures that will make it even more unlikely that gay servicemembers will be expelled. The interim plan will require that only uppermost officials — generals or admirals — be able to initiate action against potential violators of the policy, and would impose stricter rules on evidence for such cases. Part of the goal of the latter rule is to prevent what’s called “malicious outing,” that is, the revelation that a servicemember is gay by another person (or, as the Times suggests, a “jilted partner.” Oy!). Last month Gates promised to Congress that the military would try and make the current policy more humane while the legislative body contemplates repealing the ban altogether. An ongoing Pentagon review of the policy and how it might be eliminated, per President Obama’s request, is set to be completed by the end of theyear.